John Chrysostom, St. Pearls of Wisdom. Teachings of John Chrysostom and Many Saints and Fathers Edited by Florin Stuparu The priest ought to be saintly in both his soul and body. He must be a pillar of fire, enlightening the Church, that is God’s people; he must be purer than the rays of sun, so that the Holy Spirit should not depart from him. Priesthood is carried out on earth, but follows the rules of the heavenly hosts. Because no man, no angel, and no other created being can perform it, but only the most Holy Spirit celebrates the Liturgy, and the priest does the work of angels. Therefore the priest must bear in his mind, during the Liturgy, that he finds himself together with the angels in heavens, before God; thus he must be as pure as the angels. Do you not know that no human soul could ever stand that fire of the Offering, it it weren’t for the great help of God? For, if one understands how a man still of flesh and blood, can approach that blessed and most pure being, then he will understand the great honour granted to priests by the Holy Spirit. For the saints and the God-bearing Fathers consecrated themselves to priesthood – as to a lofty, heavenly and godly office – and only saints are worthy of it. Therefore, the priest who is not saintly should avoid Liturgy so that he will not be punished in body and soul! The priest is higher than the emperor, just as the soul is higher than the body (St. Maximus the Confessor). Contents: 34 homilies by St. John Chrysostom and 11 sermons of various saints and fathers Format: 17 x 24 cm; 424 p. ISBN: 978‑973‑136‑205-2 «« back